There's Lots Of Utility Room For Mordecai

BRAVES

March 20, 1997|By RAY BOETEL Special to the Sun-Sentinel

WEST PALM BEACH - — Mordecai Mike Mordecai is a man of many gloves and becoming a master of each.

Before a recent spring training game, the Atlanta Braves' utility man was taking ground balls at second base, then shortstop and later at third. He even took some throws at first base until manager Bobby Cox ran him off.

"That is the kind of a player he is," Cox said. "Mordi can play anywhere in the infield, play some center field and can catch. And do a good job at all of them."

Mordecai has played all of those positions except catcher in his two major league seasons. He did catch a few games in the minors, and Cox lists him as the emergency catcher.

He will catch a little in the bullpen during the spring, and during the season he will serve as the Braves' "Designated CFPC''.

That stands for Designated Celebrity First-Pitch Catcher.

"Every time we have someone scheduled to throw out the first pitch at a home game, I go out there to catch it," Mordecai said. "Most of the time it is a college president, sponsor, or a mayor of some city, or someone representing a charity, but I sometimes get celebrities."

Mordecai was asked to grab the opening pitch one night when he was a rookie in 1995. "Someone was needed every home game by the Community Relations Department," Mordecai said. "I told them I would do it every night that I was not in the lineup."

Mordecai was a first-pitch catcher, except for games he started.

"I just wanted to be more of a part of things," he said.

His teammates got on him for catching the first pitches all the time, until the Braves made the playoffs and he was catching first pitches from Hank Aaron, baseball's all-time home run king, and Cal Ripken. "Then, everyone wanted my job," Mordecai said. "I told them no way."

"Lisa was the toughest one for me to catch," Mordecai said. "It was the only time I wore a mask to catch anyone out there and she really surprised me with the speed she threw the ball. It seemed it was 90 miles an hour."

Mordecai enjoys the pregame ceremonies.

"I get to meet a lot of nice people and I get my picture taken with each of them. I have the pictures all over my wall at home. We talk before going out on the field. You never know, one of these CEOs might offer me a job when my playing days are over."

Some shin bruises also can be a job hazard - from the wild throws.

Mordecai is trying to again win a job as one of three utility infielders on the Opening Day roster.

There are four in the running - Mordecai, Tony Graffanino, Ed Giovanola and veteran Rafael Belliard.

"It is pretty wide open," Cox said. "But Mike is definitely in the thick of things."

Mordecai, although a key reserve the past two seasons on Atlanta pennant winners, does not take anything for granted.

"I know I have to work hard every spring to win a job and it helps to play many positions, so I concentrate on all of them," said Mordecai. "I don't mind being a backup everywhere."

Mordecai is a solid fielder. He did not make an error as a rookie in 1995. Last season he appeared in 38 games, starting 22. He was charged with two errors.

"He can also hit," said Braves third base coach Bobby Dews, who has watched Mordecai advance through the team's player development program since being drafted out of the University of South Alabama in 1989 (sixth round).

At South Alabama he played under Ed Stanky, considered one of the best teachers of fundamentals.

"Mike is a student of the game," Dews said. "He has great ability and also can hit with power. He may be a small package but drives the ball a long way."